Wirtz set to return as Liverpool host Palmer-less Chelsea in League Cup
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is "quite optimistic" Florian Wirtz will face Chelsea on Wednesday night. The visitors are without the suspended Cole Palmer, while Emmanuel Emegha could make his debut.
Archive image · Photo: FYI2023 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (cropped and resized)
Florian Wirtz is expected to be available for Liverpool's League Cup fourth-round tie against Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night, kick-off 2000 GMT. The Germany international twisted an ankle against Brighton. "I'm quite optimistic that he will be available," manager Andoni Iraola said, according to the club. On Victor Munoz and Dominik Szoboszlai he was more cautious: "I'm not so sure."
Liverpool remain without Jeremie Frimpong, who has a muscle problem, and long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni. Iraola signalled rotation, saying: "There will definitely be changes." Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez would be banned for the quarter-finals if booked again.
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are without Cole Palmer, who is suspended after his red card against Tottenham, and forward Joao Pedro, who has a thigh injury. Emmanuel Emegha could make his Chelsea debut as he returns from a hamstring problem.